STUDY ON RELATED FACTORS TO THE AWARENESS FOR SAFETY LIVING ENVIRONMENT OF THE AGED LIVING ALONE

Abstract

Purpose of this study is to inquire the related factors to the awareness for safety living environment of the aged living alone. Method : After getting consent, 173 cases of 65 years and older (29 males, 144 females) living alone were interviewed with a structured questionnaire.Results and discussion : 31.2% of the samples had concerned to maintain safety living environment. "Installation of hand rails" and "renovation of the bath and toilet" were the most concerned points. "Renovation of the entrance and passageway" was the least concerned point. The factors "The number of years of living alone", "educational background", "interest in programs and articles which related to health issues", "a two-storied house" and "the style of toilet at home" of the samples who had concerned to maintain safety living environment made significant difference compare to the group of sampies who had not concerned to maintain safety living environment. 87.3% of the aged living alone desired to continue to live at home by them self. It is essential for the elderly to maintain safety living environment to keep their life at their own home. To raise awareness of the elderly toward importance of maintenance of safety living environment, various community activities for the elderly and mass media such as TV and radios should be more used as media. Information about use of social resources to get support for equipment and renovation also should be more provided.